Tornado season has primarily hit the Midwest hard this year, with 19 fatal tornadoes taking 57 lives this year according to Michael Coons, emergency management administrator for WSU. The WSU Emergency Management Department is working to improve safety precautions and procedures on campus to ensure a well prepared campus in light of the early tornado season. In the past WSU has experienced tornado warnings; one of those warnings was due to a tornado touching ground 30 miles from campus last spring. Kelsey Hobber, a Social Work major remembers where she was when the WSU sirens sounded last spring. “I was in my regional studies class and we were taking a test and all of a sudden the sirens started and we had to go to the tunnels. It was very loud and noisy, but I’m glad that we were able to be protected and warned about the tornado,” she said. WSU has a significant advantage with taking shelter from severe weather conditions with the tunnel system however the EM Department is working to develop new safety procedures in the tunnels in order to ensure a safer environment. Coons is responsible for such updates and improvements. He assists in developing programs that prepare students and faculty for unexpected emergencies. Coons is working with Communications and Marketing at WSU to create new shelter signs for the tunnels that includes tornado guidelines. These signs will help faculty, students and visitors know what to do in case of an emergency. These guidelines are important and free access to them is a benefit for the entire campus. Coons said he is excited about the new procedures and hopes that they make a difference in students’ emergency awareness. “I recommend that everyone at WSU educate themselves on tornado safety wherever there is a tornado and to be aware of changing weather conditions.” Here are some basic tornado guidelines that are available for WSU students. 1. Do not call University Police or dial 911- Calling the police will not benefit you in a emergency situation. Unless it is a true emergency is better for you to call after the tornado warning has expired. 2. Seek safe shelter immediately- It is highly recommended that you find a place of shelter as soon as possible. Remember to close all doors behind you. Use stairs and do not use the elevators. 3. Assist others- Those around you may be in need of assistance getting to a safe shelter. It is important to help and lead others to safety in emergencies. 4. If you are outside- If you are outside and cannot access a safe location, find the nearest low level in the ground i.e. ditch, culvert, or ravine. Lay flat on the ground, face down and cover your head with your hands and arms if a tornado touches down. 5. Move away from the entrances- Step away from all entrances such as windows, doors and any other openings. Also move away from any unsecure objects that are apt to be picked up by a tornado. 6. Speak quietly and listen for weather updates- Be alert on all updates that the siren systems are giving. It is important to stay quiet when these messages come on and to remain in the shelter area until the All Clear message is completed. For more information on tornado guidelines or any questions or concerns please visit www.wright.edu/em or contact the Department of Emergency Management at 775-3440.
